Fastening means



Aug.13, 1946. R. vAN ROSENy A` 12,405,914..

FASTENING MEANS Filed July 11, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 13, 1946. R. VAN RosEN FASTENING MEANS F11ed July 11, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 33 il 3g' ,35/ 36 n, e m m f r .e. TM

' Aug.13,1946. RVAN RQSEN l 2,405,914

' FASTENING MEANS Filed July 11,'1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims. l

The invention relates to fastening means and is particularly intended to fasten together two devices or two parts of a single device by means olf a tongue on one device passing through a s ot.

The invention is particularly adapted to devices made of paper, cardboard and the like. It may be particularly desirable that at least the tongue on one member be made of some material which is somewhat elastic or resilient so that it may be bent or folded for passage through the slot and then may be biased to expand toward its original shape after passing through thel slot.

The invention may be adapted to many circumstances. In order to explain the invention, it will be described as applied to such devices as envelopes, boxes, crates and the like.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a plan View of a blank from which an envelope may be made. Figs. 2 and 3 are plan views of blanks similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, which have been partially folded for -formation of the envelope. Fig. l is a plan view of the envelope in completed closed, fastened form. Fig. 5 is a section view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section View onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a plan view of another form of envelope incorporating the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a box incorporating the invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a telescoping box to which the invention may be applied. Fig. 10 is a plan View of a blank form for a fastening handle which may be applied to the box of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a handle completed from Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the box of Fig. 9 closed, and with the handle of Fig. 11 applied and fastened to it.

As illustrated in Figs. 1-6, the blank comprises a face member 20 for the completed envelope. The sizes, shapes and proportions of the different members form no part of the invention unless so specied. At each end of this are flap members 2| and 22, each more than half the length of the face plate 20 and each provided with a slot 23 and 24. A bottom member 25 is articulated to the bottom of the face member 20 and is provided with a tongue 26 having side Wings 21 and 28. The width of the tongue 26 will be preferably approximately the width or longest dimension of the slot 23, 24. The envelope is provided with a closing nap 29 on the top or opposite side of the face member 20. The

closing ap 29 has a tongue 30 to which are 55 articulated wings 3| and 32, to each of which are articulated auxiliary wings 33 and 34. In order to form the envelope. the flaps 2| and 22 are folded inward across the face plate 20 so that one overlies the other in such position .that the slots 23, 24 are in registry forming in effect a single slot. The ilap 25 is turned up, the wings 21 and 28 are turned inwardly, and the tongue 26 carrying the wings is passed through the slots 23, 24. Then the wings'21, 28 are folded outward again, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3,.and the tongue 26 carrying the flaps 21, is turned downwardly. This holds together, at least temporarily, the members ofthe envelope so as to form the envelope. In this condition letters or other matter may be placed in the envelope in the usual Way. The wings 3| and `32 may then be folded inwardly over the tongue 30 and thewings 33 and 34 are folded in the reverse direction over the wings 3| and 32, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The tongue 30 is approximately the same width as the slots 23 and 24. By compressing the wings 3|, 32, 33 and 4311, the tongue 3|] carrying these wings may be passed through the slots 23 and 24, and the wings may then expand slightly, as shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. In these figures the parts and positions may be exaggerated to more clearly show the principle of the invention. The wings may lie more relatively nat and there may be room for a letterl or other insert between them and the face member. In this position the envelope is locked or fastened closed inasmuch as the expanded wings 3|, 32, 33 and 34 are too much expanded to pass through the slots 23, 24, and there is no means for holding them against the tongue 30 so that it may be withdrawn from the slots.

As illustrated more clearly in Fig. l, at the sides of the tongue 30 where the wings 3| and 32 join, they are provided with notches 35 and 36 so that any attempt to pull upward the closed ap 29 in order to open it and gain access to the inside of the envelope Will cause the portions of the flaps 2| and 22 adjacent the slots 23 and 24 to catch in the notches 35, 36 and any further tension on the nap 29 will tend to tear the material and destroy the envelope.

The invention may be applied to any ordinary type of envelope which has some of its members held together by staples or glue or in any usual manner as illustrated, for example. in Fig. '1 Where there is illustrated an envelope 31 provided with a closing flap 29 having a tongue and wings 3|, 32, 33, 34, like the tongue and Wings V3 illustrated in Fig. 1. There is provided a slot 38 in the rear face of the body of the envelope 3T and the tongue Sil-with the folded wings may be passed through the slot 38 and locked closed in the manner described in connection with Figs. 1-6.

When it is desired to apply the invention to the closure of a box or crate or packing case, or the like, it may be done in a manner illustrated in Fig. 8 where the box 45 has a cover consisting of two members 4l and 42 which may substantially abut when closed. In one of these members 42 or on a separate structure 43 applied thereto may be provided slots 44 and 45 in any suitable number, two being illustrated. Opposite the slots 44 and 45 there may be provided on the abutting member 4i tongues corresponding .in .number to the slots. Each of these tongues will be vformed like the tongues illustrated in Fig. 1, so that when their wings are folded they may be inserted through the slots 44 and 45, and so fasten or lock together and close the abutting members 4l and 42.

- The invention may also be employedto fasten together two or hmore separate elements so that they will. comprise a single device. In this phase the `invention may be applied to any type of box, such as the one illustrated in Fig. 9, in which there are two members 46. and 4l which are hinged togetherattheir lower sides .and adapted to telescopev one within the other. Each of these members at the side-oppsite the hinged side may be provided with slots 49, 50, and 52 in such position that they will registerY in pairs when thebox is closed. rThe blankl of Fig. may be employed to form a closingand fastening handle for the box. The handlev consists of a U-shaped member, lthe bottom-53 ofwhich acts as .a-gripping. member and has articulated to it a folded member 54 to provide a smooth, comfortable hand-hold. Extending from the gripping member 53 are two legs 55 and 56. At the lower end of each leg is a tongue 51, 58 which issubstantially the same width as the length ofthe slots 45, 50, 5l and 52. To each of the tongues 5l and 58 are articulated wings 59, 60, 6l and E2 andto the wings 55, 60,51 and 62' are articulated supplementary lwings B3, 64, 65 I and 66. These may be folded as illustrated in Fig. 11 in substantially the same way that the wings on the tongue in Fig. 1 are folded. .In

. 4 this position, with the wings compressed, the tongues 51 and 58 may be inserted through the registering slots 49, 55, 5I and 52 as illustrated in Fig. 12 where the handle is shown in position. The expanding wings inside the box and beyond the slots will retain, lock and fasten the handle in position and hold the box fastened closed.

In order to prevent the handle member from sinking against the box or passing too far through the slots, there may be provided on each of the legs and 55 cut-out and bent members 61 and 68 which when protruding from the face of the legs 55 and 56 will have their lower edges resting against the outer surface of the box member 46 and so limit the internal movement of the handle. If'desired for shipping, packing or economizing space, these members 51 and 68 may be omitted or they may be pressed back into the legs 55 and 5S so` as to allow the gripping member 53, 54 to sink against the box surface. This, however, will not interfere with or release the locking effected by the wings on the ends of the legs 55, 56.

It will be noted that the various iigures ofthe drawings are made on different scales for purpose of illustration. The invention is not conned to the use of any specific material. nor to any specific size, shape or form of the various elements involved. It may be applied in numerous positions and to various structures and devices.

I claim as my invention:

1. A receptacle comprising two telescoping members hinged at one side, registering slots through the walls opposite the hinged sides, a handle having arms extending through the slots, folding wings articulated at the sides of the arms within the receptacle, auxiliary wings foldable on the first-mentioned wings and means to Vlimit the amount the arms extend through the slots` 2. A receptacle comprising two telescoping members hinged. at one side,` registering slots through the walls opposite the hinge, a handle having arms extending through the slots, foldable wings articulated at the sides of the arms within the receptacle, auxiliary wings foldable on the first-mentioned wings, and outwardly turned cutout portions of the arms overlying the slotted walls.

ROBERT VAN ROSEN. 

